Second Snowstorm In A Week Slams Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A second powerful storm in a week rolled through Oklahoma on Wednesday, dumping more than a foot of snow on areas still digging out from last week's blizzard, making for dangerous driving conditions and causing some vehicles to veer off icy roads.

The heaviest snow was reported in northeastern Oklahoma, where last week's blizzard dumped up to 20 inches in some areas. National Weather Service meteorologist Michael Lacy in Tulsa said one foot of snow had been reported near Bartlesville, about 50 miles north of Tulsa, Wednesday morning.

"There was a band of snow that set up basically the entire night. It was dropping about 2 inches of snow an hour," Lacy said. "It sat over the same area the entire night. It's a weird situation."

The band extended from Ponca City in north central Oklahoma to the Fayetteville area in northwestern Arkansas, Lacy said. Nine inches of snow was reported in Siloam Springs, Ark., early Wednesday.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation reported roads as slick and hazardous across the northern half of the state and in south-central Oklahoma and were discouraging travel, however no serious accidents or injuries had been reported.

OHP Lt. George Brown in Tulsa said troopers in the area had been called only to help a few motorists who slid off the roadway.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 80 injuries related to the current storm including 63 falls, one carbon monoxide poisoning and 14 transportation related accidents. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported four wrecks related to the storm, including one with minor injuries.

Drivers heading west out of Oklahoma on Interstate 40 will find the interstate closed in the Amarillo, Texas, area because of blowing snow.

In Oklahoma City, about four inches of snow had fallen by Wednesday morning, said meteorologist Forrest Mitchell with the weather service in Norman.

"It looks like the storm will be pulling out this afternoon," Mitchell said. "The snow and snowfall itself looks like it'll be ending around noon."

The State of Emergency declared by Gov. Mary Fallin for last week's blizzard remains in effect. The State of Emergency marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance, should it be necessary.

Lacy said the storm is expected to dissipate as it moves eastward across northern Arkansas, and was not expected to affect any other states.